Dictionary

Alexander's foot en · NOUN

Etymology

In one account from the 19th century, the term's documented usage ranged from 1597-1678.

Meanings

1. (archaic, qualifier:botanical) A type of flower or medicinal plant.
   • Lillingstone used the plants horehound, Alexander’s foot, and ‘the red knoppes of marygoldes’, which he mixed, ground and cooked with ‘good ale and Genoese treacle’ and gave to the sick person to drink. 2012, Rider, Catherine, Magic and religion in medieval England, page 63:
   • Item a pownd of Saundurs = alexanders, "great parsley used as celery." But this is of the same family as carraway seeds. Could these seeds have been used in the same way? Gerard's "Herbal" also gives "Alexander's foot," which is a plant closely allied to camomile. 1914, More, William, 1472-1559?, Journal of Prior William More, page 1914:
   • There is alfo another Sort of Pellitory, which the French call Alexander's Foot, and which is the tufted Pellitory: This is a little Root half a Foot long, of brownish grey […] The Plant which it bears is call’d Pyrethrum Umbelliferum, and by the French, Alexander's Foot. It grows a Foot high 1748, Pomet, Pierre, 1658-1699; Tournefort, Joseph Pitton de, 1656-1708; Lémery, Nicolas, 1645-1715; Hill, John, 1714?-1775; Birt, Samuel, -1755; Parker, William, -approximately 1748 or 1749; Hitch, Charles, -1764; Wicksteed, Edward, -1758; J. and J. Bonwicke, A complete history of drugs, page 49:
2. (archaic, qualifier:botanical) A type of flower or medicinal plant. ▸ A pellitory.
3. (archaic, qualifier:botanical) A type of flower or medicinal plant. ▸ A pyrethrum herb.

Forms